Part dive bar, part music venue, Fitzgerald's has been a Houston institution since 1977. In fact, musicians and bands such as James Brown and The Romones have graced the stage here, and many locals are likely to tell you that Fitzgerald's was the site of their first show.

Downstairs, Fitzgerald’s hosts a stage and two full bars, one of which is located on the venue's sprawling back patio. Upstairs sits the venue's main stage, which regularly hosts music acts in a wide range of genres, from hip hop to indie rock. You can see what performers are on the docket by visiting the venue's website, then purchase tickets online.

Fitzgerald's hosts performances several days per week. Shows are open to people of all ages, but only of-ages guests are granted access to the bar.

Fitzgerald’s
2706 White Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 862-3838
www.fitzlivemusic.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fitzgeralds-houston

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Edsel L

• Location: NRG Park
• Venue: NRG Park
• Address: One NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054
• Phone:832-454-6106832-454-6106
• Times: 1-5pm, VIP entry at 12pm.
• Visit Event Website
• Area of Town: Medical Center/NRG Park
• Free Admission: No
• Child Admission: Children 6 and under are free.
• Adult Admission: $50-$100

20+ of Houston's best barbecue joints all in one place, at one time, for one price. This year's festival will feature all of last year's list of the who's who of Houston's best barbecue.

Currently confirmed are: Blake’s BBQ, The Brisket House, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Gerardo’s, Killen's BBQ, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Oak Leaf Smokehouse, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Roegels Barbecue Co., Spring Creek Barbeque, Tin Roof BBQ, and The Wooden Spoke. A new participant this year is up-and-coming Blood Bros.

BBQ which has developed a loyal following over the last year with their weekend barbecue pop-ups. Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas will make another guest appearance to serve his Central Texas-style barbecue. To ensure a quality event for everyone involved, ticket sales are limited. All tickets will be sold in advance – no ticket sales at the door. The first and second festivals sold out before the day of the event. We encourage you to purchase your ticket immediately to avoid missing your chance due to a sell out.

General Admission ($50) includes entry into the festival and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. VIP Admission ($100) includes entry into the festival one hour early (at noon) and unlimited sample portions from each participating Houston barbecue joint. A T-shirt and one (1) drink ticket are also included. A bar including beer and wine (sold separately) will be available. We'll also have live music.

You're probably already familiar with the premise of those paint-your-own pottery studios, but did you know that an adults-only version exists here in Houston? It's called Pinot's Palette, and the idea behind this "BYOB art entertainment studio" is a little different from the competition.

First, amateur painters are invited to enroll in a painting class from Pinot's Palette's online schedule which also displays the exact painting that will be attempted (no talent required!) during each two- or three-hour class. Then, the student simply shows up to the studio approximately 30 minutes before the class's start time; Pinot's Palette supplies all the necessary materials. However, the real draw of these classes, which are more akin to a social outing than a serious art class, is the fact that participants are encouraged to bring along a bottle of wine and some snacks—in addition to an eagerness to have a fun night out with friends.

Pinot's Palette's classes range in price from $39 to $49. This Houston studio is also a popular spot for parties and other special events.

Pinot’s Palette
2406 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-4769
www.pinotspalette.com/Montrose
www.yelp.com/biz/pinots-palette-houston-4

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Grand Canyon NPS